The absence of legislative action on animal welfare in the WP is contradictory to repeated affirmations by Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, that the first legislative proposals will be published by 2026, with specific reference to the phasing out of cages, in response to the End the Cage Age ECI.
Meanwhile, the EC continues its public consultation on the same legislation and a call for evidence has already been concluded. In parallel, representatives of the EC have noted that the WP is non-exhaustive and civil servants have stated that the file is “a work in progress”.
The EU’s animal welfare legislation has not been revised for over 20 years, despite a multitude of scientific evidence that highlights that millions of animals are left unprotected. Meanwhile, current legislation is highly fragmented with various regulations across Member States.
EU citizens have repeatedly called for better regulation for all animals in the EU and have used official tools, like ECIs, to attempt to shape policies that matter to them. While the EC has positively responded to the End the Cage Age ECI, it is only through legislative action that change can happen.
“Why does the Commission publicly commit to publishing a proposal in Q4 2026, yet fails to include it in its Work Programme? This omission is both puzzling and deeply concerning. Given the clear and repeated commitments made, particularly in response to the End the Cage Age ECI, citizens deserve transparency and certainty. There is simply no room for ambiguity or delay. The Commission must take accountability and provide a clear, credible timeline for delivering the long-promised animal welfare legislation,” said Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals.
Discussion about this post